Lock-releasing game apparatus



May 13, 1930. c. FLEISCHER 1,757,957

LOCK RELEASING GAME APPARATUS Filed March 29,-1928 2 heets-Sheet -1 B'IIIIHIIUWII Qvwentoz CHARLES zz/scam Patented May 13, 1930 entree stares earenr oFF cE CHARLES FLEISCHER, OF BROOKLYN, NEVJ YORK, ASSIGNOR TO RUDOLF O. KUSSAT,

' F BROQKLYN, NEW YORK LOCK-RELEASING GAME APPARATUS Application filed March 29,

This invention relates broadly to game devices wherein the success in operation or playing is determined by the skill of the operator. The invention also relates to the incorporation of such game devices in vending machines of every character, whereby the successful operation of the game device is utilized to initiate the functioning of the vending machine.

The present application is a continuation in part only of my prior application No. 52,599 filed August 28, 1925.

One object of the present invention is the provision of a game device which requires patience and skill in the manipulation of an object over a circuitous path, so as to position said object at a terminus of the device. Accordingly a device is provided which includes a plurality of paths over which a game piece may travel, said paths being so arranged that skill is required to cause the game piece to leave one path and reach the next path. More particularly, the invention comprises a movable member or manipulator having a plurality of ledges thereon adapted to support a rolling object or game piece, such as a ball, disc, coin, or the like, the ledges being so arranged that the object may roll along one ledge and be caused to drop'onto an other, providing the operator is sufficiently ski led, the movable member being also preferably provided with a terminus to be reached by the object upon the successful conclusion of the manipulation.

The invention also seeks the combination of the game device with a vending machine whereby the vending machine'may be actuated by. or upon the successful manipulation of the game device. To this end the terminus of the game device is so disposed that when the game piece is positioned thereat, as a result of successful manipulation of the game device, further movement of the game device will effect the actuation of some element of the vending machine.

A further object is to provide an ornamental and attractive device of the character stated, such as a vending machine, in which an article to be obtained upon successful operation of the game device, aswell asithe its 1928. Serial No. 265,571.

game, are visible so that the device affords amusement and entertainment not only to the operator but to others witnessing the manipulation of the game piece, say, a coin, in an endeavor to obtain the article.

lhe invention also seeks an instrumentality of the character described which shall be practical from the standpoint of ease and cheapness in manufacture and convenience and simplicity in use.

These and other objects of the invention and the means for their attainment will-be more apparent from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings showing various modificaitions by which the invention may be realme Figure 1 is an enlarged view in elevation of my improved game device manipulator.

Figure 2 is a view in section on the line 22 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to Figure. 2 but showing means to prevent the game piece tipping forward.

Figure 4 is a similar fragmentary sectional view showing another manner of preventing the game piece tipping laterally so as to fall off a ledge.

Figure 5 is a view in front elevation, illus trating my improved vending apparatus, with which the game device is combined.

' Figure 6 is a view'in section on the line 6'6 of Figure 5, the door being shown slightly open. j

V Figure 7 is a fragmentary viewin elevation of the inner face of the front panel of the apparatus, showingthe parts attached thereto.

Referring first to Figures 1 to l the manipulating device 10' comprises a fiat plate or casting hereinafter referred to as the manipulator or member, somewhat in the shape of a shield, which at its lower end has a downwardly projecting arm 11 fixed or made in tegral with the shaft 12 adapt-ed to be supported in a suitable bearing 13 in any convenient support. I

An operator crank handle 14 is located on the outer end of the shaft 12 and referably when in normal position projects ownwardtoo ly and vertically as clearly indicated at Figure 2. A crank arm 15 also having a fixed relation to the shaft 12, is connected at opposite sides by coil springs 16 with fixed parts 17, preferably on any suitable support in which the shaft 12 is journaled. These springs 16 normally hold the arm 15 and the manipulator 10 in vertical position but permit movement of the parts sufficient for operation, the movement of the arm being conveniently limited, however, by fixed stops 18 preferably also carried with the support.

Specifically the coin manipulating device 10, arm 11 and the arm 15 may constitute a single casting but it is of course to be understood that the invention is not limited to the exact manner of forming these parts except that they be rigidly connected and have rigid connection to the shaft 12 so that all of said parts will move together. I have illustrated a set screw 20 projecting through a portionof the arm 11 and engaging the shaft 12 to lock the parts together, the only essential of the structure, however, being that the manipulator 10, the arms 11 and 15 and the crank handle 14: are so connected that when the crank handle 14 is operated or moved with the shaft 12 as a pivot the parts can be swung laterally to manipulate the game piece.

The game device or manipulator 10, per se, shown in detail in Figures 1 and 2, is provided with a plurality of laterally extending ledges on its front face which will now be described in detail. These ledges are of such shape and dimensions as to receive the game piece which it is desired to use.

A curved web 24. is formed at the upper edge of the manipulator 10 and has an opening 25 therein which will permit the game piece to drop onto a ledge 26, and a vertically positioned web 27 adjacent one wall of the opening 25 will prevent movement of the game piece laterally off of the ledge 26 at least inone direction. Below the ledge 26 other ledges 28, 29 and 30 are provided and are spaced apart a distance sufficient to allow the game piece to move between them.

Referring to Figure 1 it will be noted that the. ledge 26 terminates short of the left hand edge of the manipulator 1O sufficiently to allow the game piece to drop down upon the ledge 28. The ledge 28 terminates short of the right hand ed e of the manipulator so that the game piece may fall onto the ledge 29, and the ledge 29 terminates short of the left hand edge of the manipulator so that the game piece may drop onto the ledge 30.

The ledge 30 has an opening 31 therein through which a game piece may drop onto a ledge 32. A game piece in the form of a disk 33 is illustrated on the ledge 30 in Figures 1 and 2. On one side of this opening 31 a downwardly projecting flange 34L constituting an abutment is provided so that when a game piece falls through the opening 31 onto the ledge 32 it will he supported there and the flange 3 1 and ledge 32 will serve as a terminus. The ledge 30 may be considered as terminating at the downwardly projecting flange 34 while the flange 35 on the opposite side of opening 31 may serve merely as a stop or deflecting surface in the event that the game piece jump the opening. Further, the opening 31 defined by the end of the flange 30, the stop 35, the ledge 32 and the flange 34- may comprise the terminus of the game device, when considered by itself or when used to effect or permit the initiation of any further functioning of a device with which the game device may be combined.

Hence, if the operator is successful in so manipulating the game piece 33 that it will travel to and fall on to the ledge 32 he will be considered to have achieved his object and be entitled to a reward. If he is unsuccessful in causing the game piece 33 to travel as above explained and as indicated by the arrows 36. in Figure 1, the game piece will fall off the manipulator 10.

It will thus be noted that when the game piece once falls on the manipulator it will be received on the ledge 26, and by manipulating the crank handle 14; the game piece will move by gravity, and if the operator h patience and is sufficiently skilled he can cause the game piece to take the circuitous path indicated from one ledge to the next below. If he is nervous or impatient and unskillful and swings the manipulator through too great an arc the game piece will fall clear of the ledge below and be lost to the player.

From the entrance 25 of the manipulator 10 to the opening 31 I may provide on the face of said manipulator a raised web which gives the appearance of an arrow indicating the direction of movement 7f the game piece. A mechanical function of this web is to prevent the game piece from sticking against the surface of the manipulator, particularly if the game piece is moistened. It has been found that a moistened game piece will not move with the same rapidity as a dry one because it may stick to the surfaces of the manipulator and the web 36 is provided on the manipulator to present as small a contacting surface to the game device as possible.

In situations where the game device may be disposed in a housing having a transparent window will be more apparent hereafter means may be provided to prevent the game piece contacting with the window. For instance, on one extremity of each web 28 and 29 I may provide a tongue 37 which will force the game piece away from the window if it is sticking thereto and cause the game piece to fall off the manipulator. The provision of web 36 and tongues 37 is in the nature of a fraud preventive when used in conjunction with vending machines.

In lieu of the flange or track 23 on the ledges 26-30 there may be provided a sheet of transparent material 40, such as glass, mica or celluloid as shown in Figure 3 against which a game piece may lean as it travels over the circuitous path, or the manipulator 10 may be mounted at an angle on the shaft 12, as shown at 110, in which event no transparent sheet is necessary.

The game device 10 is cable when combined with a vending machine or some similar apparatus as the trial of skill necessary to the successful operation of the manipulator 10 is an added incentive to the patronage of the machine.

Referring now to 'Figures 5 through 7 there is shown a casing 43 for both a vending machine and a game device or manipulator associated therewith. This casing may be of any desired shape and ornamented in any desired manner. The front of the casing 43 is normally closed by a door or panel 44 which may be hinged at one edge, as shown at 45, and securely locked at its other edge to the casing. There is indicated by reference numeral 46 a lock which may be utilizedfor the purpose and which can be unlocked by the holder of the proper key.

The casing 43 is divided by a horizontal partition '47 into an upper cabinet 48 and a lower coin receptacle 49. The cabinet 48 has a front opening 50 which is normally closed by a door 51. This door 51 is mainly of glass or other transparent material so that an article within the cabinet is visible. Any article may be disposed within the cabinet for delivery to one who has successfully manipulated the game device as described hereinafter.

The door 51 is connected at its upper end to the casing 43 by hinges 52, and these hinges are laterally ofiset forwardly of the casing so that the door when released will, at. its lower end, swing outwardly by gravity to the position shown in Figure 7. The panel 54 below the door 51 ismade with a glass or other transparent window 53 which renders visible my improved game device or manipulator 10 previously described.

It will be noted that the door 51 has a hook or finger 55 at its lower edge projecting hori- Zontally, partly at right angles to the door and partly parallel thereto and back of which and between which and the frame of the door a locking lever 56 is adapted to be positioned to lock the door closed. This lever 56 is pivotally connected between its ends to the panel 44 as shown at 57, and the upper extremity of the lever is capable of a movement suficient to release the door.

A coil spring 58 connects the upper portion of the lever 56 with a fixed pin 59 on the panel so as to exert pressure on the lever to hold it against a fixed stop 60 and 1n locking particularly appliend of one ledge onto the 7 given the rolling object will be position. The lower end of this lever 56 has a laterally projecting lug 61 thereon which is adapted to be engaged by a game piece such as a rolling object, to wit, a disk or coin 33 to move the lever to unlocked position, as will e hereinafter explained.

Throughout the subsequent description the game piece will be referred to as a coin but it is to be understood that the invention is equally applicable to any object, spherical, cylindrical or otherwise.

The panel 44 is provided with a coin receiving opening back of which a chute 71 is provided to direct the coin or other rolling object on to the manipulator 10. When the coin or other game piece arrives at the terminus as heretofore described it will be positioned between the abutment 34 and the pin 61 of lever 56. When the coin 33 is in this position the crank arm or handle 14 may be swung on its pivot and the coin will act as a spacing element or coupling device, that is, transmit movement or force between the manipulator 10 and the locking lever 56 or any other element adapted to be actuated so as to cause the locking lever to be swung out of engagement with the finger 55 of the door 51 and permit the door 51' to swing open, as indicated in Figure 7 so that the article may be removed. It will be obvious that the lever 56 may initiate any other movement such as the functioning of a weighing ma chine or any other mechanism and that after the coin 33 has served as a force transmitting member it may be permitted to fall into a return chute by which it may be returned to 'may be exhibited in rocking the manipulator 10 about the axis of the shaft 12 to cause the rolling object to travel along the ledges, in order, from top to bottom, dropping off the one beneath until the rolling object reaches the terminus of its circuitous path. If, however, the skill of the operator is not suflicient to cause the rolling object to remain on the ledges, and the manipulatoris rocked too far, the velocity suflicient to carry it past the end of the ledge beneath and it will fall free into the coin receptacle.

When used in conjunction with a vending machine, the terminus may be so arranged that the rolling object, when positioned therein, may be availed of, as in the nature of a spacing element, to transmit force from the manipulator, when it is rocked, to another element, for the purpose of releasing acatch,

initiating the operation of a weighing mathe rolling object, upon reaching the terminus, maybe returned to the player.

Various modifications will occur to those skilled in the art in the configuration of the manipulator, the disposition of supports for the game piece and in their number, as well as in the use to which the same is put and no limitation is intended by the phraseology of the foregoing description or illustrations in the accompanying drawings, except as set out in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. Apparatus of the character described in combination with a casing having a. window, a disc manipulator exposed to view through said window, a plurality of disc supporting ledges carried with said manipulator and so disposed that a disc may move along a ledge and drop onto another, and means to prevent contact of the disc with the window.

2. Apparatus of the character described in combination with a casing having a window, a disc manipulator exposed to view through said window, a plurality of disc supporting ledges carried with said manipulator and so disposed that a disc may move along a ledge and drop onto another, and means to prevent contact of the disc with the window, comprising a sheet of transparent material carried with the ledges in parallel relationship with the manipulator.

3. Apparatus of the character described in combination with a casing having a window, a disc manipulator exposed to view through said window, a plurality of disc supporting ledges carried with said manipulator and so disposed that a disc may move along a ledge and drop onto another, said manipulator being so constructed and arranged that the disc is prevented from contacting with the window.

4. In a game apparatus, a manipulator having thereon a plurality of ledges adapted to support a rolling object and whereof the ends of adjacent ledges are disposed in overlapping relationship, said manipulator being formed with a downwardly projecting arm pivotally supported at a distance from the manipulator, a handle carried with the arm to move the manipulator about the pivot and a terminus for the rolling object.

5. In a game apparatus, a manipulator having thereon a plurality of ledges adapted to support a rolling object and whereof the ends of adjacent ledges are disposed in overlapping relationship, said manipulator being formed with a downwardly projecting arm pivot-ally supported at a distance from the manipulator, a handle carried with the arm to move the manipulator about the pivot, springs normally holding the manipulator in position to receive the rolling object and a terminus for the rolling object.

6. In a game apparatus, a manipulator having thereon a plurality of ledges adapted to, support a rolling object and whereof the ends of adjacent ledges are disposed in over lapping relationship, said manipulator being formed with a downwardly projecting arm pivotally supported intermediate its ends at a distance from the manipulator, a handle carried with the arm to move the manipulator about the pivot, springs normally holding the manipulator in position. to receive the rolling object and a terminus for the rolling object.

7. A disc manipulator comprising a memher having a plurality of disc supporting ledges thereon so disposed that a disc may roll along one ledge and drop onto another, a pivot for said member located at a distance therefrom outside the member and a terminus for the disc.

8. In a playing device, in combination, a disc manipulator comprising a member having a plurality of disc supporting ledges thereon so disposed that a disc may roll along one ledge and drop onto another, and a pivot for said member located at a substantial distance from the center of the member, and a terminus for the disc.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

CHARLES FLEISCHER. 

